Lines of Thought

Washington vs the states on AI rules

How is the US federal government trying to override state AI laws, and how far has it got?

Since mid-2025 the White House has moved from discouraging state AI regulation to suing over it and drafting a preemption template for Congress. State laws remain enforceable unless courts or Congress act, which is where the fight now sits.

  1. Rule · In forceUS
    EO 14179

    January 2025 order that reset US AI policy toward deregulation.

    Also on Project Meridian and the race to govern military AI

  2. PolicyGovernmentUS
    White House publishes America's AI Action Plan and three executive orders

    The plan first ties federal funding to a state's AI regulatory climate.

    Also on Procurement as AI policy

  3. PolicyGovernmentUS
    Trump executive order targets state AI laws with litigation and funding pressure

    Turns the idea into a litigation, funding and legislative campaign.

  4. ProgrammeGovernmentUS US-CO
    Attorney General sets up DOJ AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state AI laws

    DOJ builds the unit that will challenge state statutes in court.

  5. Rule · SupersededUS-CO
    Colorado AI Act (SB 24-205)

    Colorado's law becomes the first target when DOJ joins xAI's suit.

    Also on Can an algorithm deny your care?, Who audits the hiring algorithm?

  6. PolicyGovernmentUS
    White House sends Congress AI framework calling for preemption of state laws

    The administration's template for what Congress should preempt and what it should spare.

  7. Rule · ProposedUS
    Great American AI Act

    Bipartisan draft offering a narrower, three-year preemption of model-development laws.

  8. Rule · In forceUS-CA
    SB 53 / TFAIA

    California's frontier transparency law is the state rule most exposed if preemption passes.

Where this line could go next

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